Cleveland Cavaliers notes: Luol Deng receives J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for work in the community

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown would not be surprised if Luol Deng’s life isn’t captured on the silver screen someday.
“It’s an amazing story,” he said. “I would be surprised if his life story doesn’t turn into a Hollywood movie deal someday. It’s that special.
“I’d go watch it. Hopefully, Luol will give me a free ticket. It will save me $12.50.”
Deng has been voted the 2013-14 winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association to the player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.
The two-time All-Star forward recently recorded a public service announcement for the EnoughProject.org, urging peace during a time of renewed conflict in his native South Sudan.
“Look around you, and reach out,” he said in the PSA. “Make peace among those who are fighting. Forgive one another and encourage others to forgive. Build trust with people who fear each other. You are young, and if you are wise, you will build bridges with people your age that will last a lifetime. It is not too late to start ... but it is not too soon either.’
He was born in what was now South Sudan. His family fled to Egypt and later found political asylum in England, where he grew up.
Deng started the The Luol Deng Foundation, which is a global nonprofit organization that uses basketball as a platform to give hope to those in Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Two basketball courts will open this summer in Africa, and will include 12 hoops, locker rooms and basketball gear. Plans are also in the works to renovate and build schools in South Sudan.
He said he feels very honored by winning the prestigious award.
“At the end of the day, I’m just glad it’s one of those things when I talk to my parents about it, they’ll be very proud,” Deng said.
“It’s all about helping other people and just doing what makes you happy in life. I’m glad to win the award, but I do this because it makes me happy. Sometimes helping others is a selfish move. It’s selfish because it makes me happy. I love the fact that I’m recognized for this, but at the same time, at the end of the day, doing this kind of stuff is what makes me happy.”
Deng, 28, said he hopes winning the award brings more attention and awareness to the violence still going on in South Sudan.
“Honestly, it’s one of those things that will never stop,” he said. “If I make one person happy or make their life better, I think that’s enough.
“I can’t say I’m going to make 1,000 people’s lives better and then you stop right there because there’s always the next person. It’s just one of those things I enjoy doing. I wish I could wake up tomorrow and nobody needs help. But we all know that’s not going to happen.”
Brown said he was touched by Deng’s life story.
“From what he’s come from and his life experience is off the charts,” he said. “(He) has a platform to help bring awareness for others. It’s a remarkable thing. I don’t know how he does it. You’ll applaud him. Obviously, you’ll applaud his parents for raising him the way they did.”Jack wins AC award
Cavs guard Jarrett Jack is the recipient of the ninth annual Austin Carr Good Guy Award, presented by the local chapter of the Pro Basketball Writers Association.
The award, named after Cavaliers legend Austin Carr, is designed to recognize a Cavaliers player who is cooperative and understanding of the media, a release said. Carr, who played nine seasons with the Cavaliers, was the No. 1 pick of the 1971 NBA draft by Cleveland and was selected by 32 members of the media in Northeast Ohio to the Cavaliers All-Time Starting Five during the Cavaliers 30th anniversary season in 1999-2000. He is now the television analyst for Fox Sports Ohio and assists with the team’s community and business development efforts.
Jack, signed as a free agent last summer, became a key part of the Cavs rotation as well as an important veteran voice in the locker room. Going into the April 16 finale, he has played 79 games, starting 31, and is averaging 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 28.2 minutes.Fan Appreciation Night
More than $1 million in prizes will be given away at the Nets game during the 12th annual Fan Appreciation Night.
“We have the best fans in the NBA. We know it, and we look forward to this annual game that celebrates them,” Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO Len Komoroski said in a prepared statement. “Fan Appreciation Night is dedicated to saying ‘thank you’ to our fans and it is another way we can show that we never, ever take that support for granted.”
One of the most popular prizes is when the players give the shirts off their backs, as well as the shoes on their feet. Fifteen fans will get game-worn jerseys and 15 more will get shoes.
Among the other prizes are:
-- There will be free iced coffee for everyone, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts.
-- Hundreds of gift certificates to local restaurants and retailers.
-- Tickets to future Cavs, Monsters and Gladiators games.
-- Accu Clean Whole Home Air Purifier, courtesy of Sal’s Heating and Cooling.
-- Free pizza for a year, courtesy of Georgio’s Oven Fresh Pizza.

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@news-herald.com
or follow Bob on Twitter: @BobCavsinsider.